FAQs

The Race

Do you allow headphones?Yes, however, the use of personal music devices is discouraged at this race. To enjoy all that our race has to offer and for the safety of all participants, Napa Valley Marathon encourages a headphone-free environment during the running of the marathon. If you are competing for awards in the RRCA National Championships, headphones are not allowed.

Is this is a good course for beginners?This is an excellent course for beginning marathoners. It is downhill, traveling from 380 feet above sea level to 80 feet above sea level at the finish line. There are rolling hills in the first six miles and the course is relatively flat thereafter.

How do we get from Napa to the race start?On race morning we provide transportation for a $10 fee to participants from one of our host hotels or from the finish line at Vintage High School 1375 Trower Avenue, Napa, CA 94558 to the start line in Calistoga. Buses leave for the start at 5:15 a.m. Please plan to arrive early to be assured a seat.

What do I do with my sweat bag?At the start line there will be three buses parked on Rosedale Road on the east side of the Silverado Trail for sweat bags. Please confirm your race number tag is attached to your bag and agrees with your bib number. Bags will be transported to the finish area at Vintage High School and transferred to the gymnasium for runner pickup. The Napa Valley Marathon is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged sweat bags or contents. Please leave anything of value in a secure location. Clothing discarded along the course will be collected by race personnel and transported to Vintage High School, cleaned, and donated to a charity here in the Valley. If possible discard clothing at an official aid station.

Do you have a time limit on finishing? What is it?
Our permits with Napa County, CalTrans and the California Highway Patrol; and insurance require that all runners be off the course by 1:00 p.m. We adhere to this 6 hour time limit and ask that if you can’t finish in that time period, please do not enter.

How late will the timer be there with people to greet you coming in?While we attempt to ensure that all runners finishing the course have someone waiting to greet them and place the finishing medal upon their exhausted bodies,the Finish line officially closes at 1:00 p.m. You will be awarded a Participant’s Medal if you finish after 1:00 p.m.

Where will the aid stations be located?The aid stations are generally 2.0 to 2.5 miles apart. Only near the end are they less than 2.0 miles apart.

What will be provided at the aid stations?We offer Gatorade Endurance Formula and water at all aid stations and fruit at later aid stations. The aid stations at the 13.9 and the 18.4 mile marks will offer Honey Stinger product. You may provide your own special drinks. Kaiser Permanente provides medical personnel at each aid station starting at aid station #4 through the finish line.

Special Drinks: You must specify at which aid stations you want your special drinks placed. It is your responsibility to get your drinks to us at the start line between 6:30 and 6:45 a.m. We will place them at the aid stations you request. Bottles will not be returned to runners.

Which Gatorade flavors will be available at the aid stations?Lemon Lime.

Can my dog accompany me during the race or meet me at the finish line?Dogs are not allowed to accompany runners on the course and may not be brought to the start or finish areas. It is illegal to bring a dog onto a school campus such as the finish line at Vintage High.

Is there a shuttle bus to return to Calistoga at the end of the race?There is no race-provided transportation to Calistoga after the race. However, there is public transportation. Public transportation is available at the Redwood Park & Ride across from the Marriott Hotel. Buses depart at approximately 40 minutes after the hour starting at 7:42 a.m. Shuttle service from the finish line to the Marriott is available starting at 10:00 a.m.As there is limited parking at the start line in Calistoga, we encourage you to park at Vintage High School and let us bus you to the start.

I would like my supporters to be able to see me at the start of the race and then at the finish line with possibly one stop in between during the race. What is the best way to accomplish this?

The course is closed to all but registered runners. Unless you are a registered runner and are starting the race, there is no way to view the start.

There are “feeder” roads from SR 29 up and down the valley and they are the best viewing points. A map is available at the Expo and here. Please keep in mind that there is limited parking on these roads and the CHP will be monitoring traffic flow at each viewing point. The finish line at Vintage High School has adequate viewing.

Spectator parking during the race to cheer family and friends in this world-class location comes with your support. The Napa Valley Marathon has a closed course for the first 12 miles and only north-bound traffic for part of the second half or south of SR-128 to Oak Knoll. For your best experience use SR-29 for driving purposes and consider all roads leading to the Silverado Trail to be dead ends. The California Highway Patrol will be at posted at intersections and patrolling on SR-29 and roads leading to the Silverado Trail. Parking must be legal – on the shoulder, off the pavement. Do not block driveways or park on private property. Law enforcement may cite or tow vehicles as necessary. Be cordial and courteous to our supportive local residents. There will be maps available at race headquarters to assist you in locating roads that will help you view the race. Remember we will be mixing cars and pedestrians at these locations. Use caution while walking where cars are parking or making u-turns, and remember to watch for children walking or running to see the race.

Registration

How many people typically run in this Marathon?We limit our race to 3000.

Is there a limit to the number of people who can register?We will only accept 3000 entries.

How will I know if the race is full?In addition to a posting on the website, you will not be able to register online.

When does the race typically reach its limits of runners?Usually we fill the field between late November and early January.

How do I know when I am registered?Those who register online will immediately receive an email confirmation of your entry.

If I am unable to compete, may I transfer my eligibility to another person or open the spot for someone else?There is no transfer of registration. You may request a deferral as noted in the previous question.

Due to unexpected injury or circumstances I am unable to compete. May I defer my registration to the following year?You may write to race officials and request a deferral. Each case will be judged individually and the decision of the race committee will be final. In any event, please keep in mind that under no circumstances will a refund be granted.

All requests for deferral must be received by February 17, 2017. We are unable to grant exceptions.

To accommodate your request, we will carryover your entry to the 40th annual Napa Valley Marathon to be held on Sunday, March 4, 2018. You must access the below website now to complete your deferral request.

Keep in mind that this is a one-time deferral and there is a $75.00 processing fee that must accompany the registration. Until the fee is paid, you will not be registered for the 2018 event.

You must complete a 2018 registration form

Access our website and register accordingly, keying on the “deferral from prior year” button or, please use this link.

If the registrant has previously requested a deferral, the registration will be accepted and a credit card of choice will be accepted.

If you do not register by the September 30 deadline, your deferral will not be honored. Please note that we are unable to grant exceptions.

Other Events

What additional events are offered and when are they scheduled?Visit the Weekend Events Schedule page for more information. The Greater Kiwanis Club of Napa sponsors a 5K Fun Run that runs in the local neighborhood. It is also a fully certified USATF course.

If I am already registered for the marathon, how do I get a ticket for the pasta feed?You may contact us and request a ticket, the preferred way, or you may purchase a ticket, if available, at the Expo on Saturday.

Will seating be limited at the Pasta Feed?Yes, due to popularity, we have a seating limited to 180 people at 6:00 pm.

Can I purchase an additional runners’ shirt prior to the marathon?Merchandise is available for sale at the Expo and at the finish line on Sunday. Current year race runners’ shirts are not available until the following year.

Other Distances

Is there a 5K?Yes. The Greater Kiwanis Club of Napa produces a 5K Fun Run that starts and finishes at the Marathon finish line at Vintage High School. For further information, check out the 5K page or call Mike Scully at 707.255.7503.

Is there a half marathon?We only offer a full marathon and a 5K Fun Run presented by the Greater Kiwanis Club of Napa.

Can walkers participate?Due to the rural nature of this event it is not “walker friendly”. We will not permit “early starts” and everyone must be off the course by 1:00 p.m.

Miscellaneous

Is Napa a qualifying marathon for Boston?Due to the close proximity to the Boston event, the Napa Valley Marathon is always one year behind in qualification. We do, however, send a complete list of results to the BAA Race Committee shortly after our results are official. If you qualify, your results will be with the BAA and it will be your responsibility to follow through with your entry with the BAA.